By Eric Stock
ELMHURST – No. 15-ranked Illinois Wesleyan took advantage of the wind at its back to score 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for a 49-28 win over Elmhurst at Langhorst Field.
Artie Checchin put IWU on top in the fourth period on a reverse handoff from Anfrenee Roberts to race 13 yards to the end zone. Checchin, who led the Titans with 162 receiving yards on three catches, would add his third touchdown of the game on a deep throw for a 45-yard scoring pass from Jack Warner to give IWU a 42-28 lead.
PODCAST: Listen to Joel Swanson’s postgame interview with coach Norm Eash.
Checchin was on the receiving end of a 72-yard toss from Warner in the first quarter.
Elmhurst (3-4, 0-4 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) committed turnovers on its last three possessions, gave IWU its final score when Donnie Nordstrom recovered a fumble in the end zone.
Warner completed 9 of 19 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Maurice Shoemaker-Gilmore rushed for 137 yards on 21 carries and scored twice.
The Bluejays had rallied for two third-quarter touchdowns behind freshman Orlando Hernandez, who is Elmhurst’s fourth starting quarterback this season.
IWU (7-0, 4-0 in CCIW amassed 468 yards of total offense, compared to 290 for Elmhurst.
The TItans host North Central on Oct. 31
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
